Our sources are indicating that John Hopkins is close to closing a deal to race in the AMA Pro Racing series for 2010, and will be making an announcement about his contract with M4 Suzuki (Team Hammer) as early as this weekend (but more likely after Hopper’s test on the M4 Suzuki scheduled for next Tuesday the 2nd). This news seems to be the final chapter (we hope) in the ever increasing Hoppergate scandal, and also seems to be the last nail in the coffin for FB Corse‘s hopes of having the American ride on their MotoGP team.

In the past week we’ve seen indicators that Hopkins has been readying his move back to US racing soil, as Team Hammer registered Hopper’s #21 race plate with the AMA. While not conclusive evidence of his return (Team Hammer has offered itself as a Plan B to Hopper from the get-go), according to CycleWorld Magazine Hopkins announced to a crowd in Anaheim that he will race an M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000 in AMA Pro American Superbike in 2010.